The Boston Celtics have been among the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season. Despite strong playoff performances in the past, they have really looked rough in recent months, losing games and blowing big leads.
Amid all the chaos happening around the organization, significant doubt has grown that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is a dup that can work.
But, on NBA Countdown, former player Jalen Rose went against that trend by explaining why they need to stay together.
“Don’t panic. You don’t break up Tatum and Brown. It’s a perimeter-driven league. They can both dribble, pass, and shoot. You know what you do for them? Get them a guard that can make the game easier. This is the exact same thing people were saying about Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
You be patient and you find a way to build around those guys, not break ’em up.”
“[Celtics] Don’t panic! You don’t break up Tatum and Brown. … You be patient and you find a way to build around those guys”
—@JalenRose on the Celtics' recent struggles pic.twitter.com/Jy1uATp8nK
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 8, 2022
There is no doubt that both players are exceptionally talented. They can both shoot at will and have exceptional ball-handling abilities.
But with the current state of the team, it seems obvious some kind of shakeup is needed. If not involving Tatum or Brown, then someone else.
But there are those who already believe the duo is headed towards a split regardless.
I think this is definitely the beginning of the end for the Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown pairing. I don’t know if that will get broken up this season. But I think sometime in the next 12-18 months we’re really going start to hear about to hear the conversations about the future of Boston with Jaylen Brown heading out the door.
Whatever the case, the Celtics have some big decisions to make about their future. For a franchise with such a magical and illustrious history, their recent play is just unacceptable from all angles.
The hope is that, with time and plenty of adjustments, the Celtics can prove that they’re a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference — just like they were not long ago. As always, things might need to get worse before they get better.
